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A Survey of Anadromous Fish Passage in Coastal Massachusetts

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A Survey of Anadromous Fish Passage in Coastal Massachusetts Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report TR-15 A Survey of Anadromous Fish Passage in Coastal Massachusetts Part 1. Southeastern Massachusetts K. E. Reback, P. D. Brady, K. D. McLaughlin, and C. G. Milliken Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Department of Fisheries and Game Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Commonwealth of Massachusetts Technical Report Technical May 2004 Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Technical Report TR-15 A Survey of Anadromous Fish Passage in Coastal Massachusetts Part 1. Southeastern Massachusetts Kenneth E. Reback, Phillips D. Brady, Katherine D. McLauglin, and Cheryl G. Milliken Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Southshore Field Station 50A Portside Drive Pocasset, MA January 2004 Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Paul Diodati, Director Department of Fisheries and Game Dave Peters, Commissioner Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Ellen Roy-Herztfelder, Secretary Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mitt Romney, Governor TABLE OF CONTENTS Part 1: Southeastern Massachusetts Acknowledgements . iii Abstract. iv Introduction . 1 Materials and Methods . 1 Life Histories . 2 Management . 4 Narragansett Bay Drainage . 6 Map of towns and streams . 6 Stream Survey . 7 Narragansett Bay Recommendations . 25 Taunton River Watershed . 26 Map of towns and streams . 26 Stream Survey . 27 Taunton River Recommendations . 76 Buzzards Bay Drainage . 77 Map of towns and streams . 77 Stream Survey . 78 Buzzards Bay Recommendations . 118 General Recommendations . 119 Alphabetical Index of Streams . 120 Alphabetical List of Streams by Town . 122 Appendix 1: List of Anadromous Species in MA . 124 Appendix 2: State River Herring Regulations . 125 Appendix 3: Fishway Designs and Examples . 126 Appendix 4: Abbreviations Used . 134 ii Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the following people for their assistance in carrying out this survey and for sharing their knowledge of the anadromous fish resources of the Commonwealth: Brian Creedon, Tracy Curley, Jack Dixon, George Funnell, Steve Kennedy, Paul Montague, Don St. Pierre, Ken Sprankle and Dave Watling. The following Division of Marine Fisheries personnel were invaluable in the preparation of this report: Brad Chase, Rusty Iwanowicz and Greg Skomal. Special thanks to Edward Clark, who participated in much of the field work. We also wish to recognize Tracy Pugh for her work in data compilation and editing. iii ABSTRACT Anadromous fish species such as alewife, blueback herring, rainbow smelt, American shad, and white perch are important members of the coastal and freshwater fish faunas of Massachusetts. Providing passage through numerous man-made blockages allowing for the spawning migration of these fishes is essential to maintaining healthy populations. Information on blockages (primarily dams) and fish passage structures (fishways) has not been updated since the early 1970s. In order to update this information, a survey was conducted by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries during 2001-2002. The purpose was to provide information on the present state of fish passage in Massachusetts coastal streams and rivers and to provide guidance for future restoration efforts. The results of this survey are presented in this report. All rivers and streams flowing into Massachusetts’ coastal waters were examined. The presence of anadromous species in a system was determined from a variety of sources including past Division surveys, regional biologists, harbormasters, and local herring and shellfish wardens. If alewives or blueback herring were not specifically identified, the generic term river herring was used in the species present listing. Most rivers and streams were surveyed from mouth to headwaters. General physical characteristics of the water bodies and data of specific importance to anadromous fish were noted. All obstructions and fishways were photographed and their locations were recorded using handheld GPS units. Site specific details were documented for the first impassable obstruction and its impoundment area to assist in the evaluation of future alterations or fish passage possibilities. On some streams, information was gathered on additional impassable obstructions as well. River obstruction type, construction material, and structural and hydraulic heights were recorded. When a fishway was present, the type of design, dimensions, construction materials, and number of baffles, pools and weirs were recorded. Fishways were rated based on their condition and function. Condition (poor, fair, good or excellent) described the physical structure and referred to the level of deterioration of the ladder. Function (not passable, inefficient passage, or passable) described how well the structure passed fish. A brief description of the state of fish passage and the potential for further improvements were provided for each river and stream. The survey included 215 coastal streams. Along these streams, 493 lakes, ponds or reservoirs and 380 obstructions to migratory fish passage were documented. The majority of the obstructions are man- made dams that in many cases have long ceased to perform the functions for which they were originally constructed. About 68% of the dams are six feet or under in height and only 3% were 24 feet tall or greater. The survey identified 175 existing fish passage structures and more than 100 active river herring runs. Weir pool and notched weir pool fishways were by far the most common designs employed in Massachusetts followed by the denil ladder, stream baffles, Alaskan Steeppass, combination designs, vertical slot and fish lifts. About 46% of the existing fishways were judged to be in deteriorated condition and 50% were judged to function inadequately. The survey clearly demonstrates that Massachusetts has a large investment in fish passage along our coastal rivers and streams. The survey and associated recommendations identify numerous projects that should be undertaken over the next several years. These projects include the maintenance, repair, and re-design of failing or inefficient existing fishways, and the construction of new fishways to provide access to additional spawning grounds. The information provided by this survey will guide the planning and implementation of future infrastructure work by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries necessary for the management and improvement of Massachusetts’ anadromous fish populations. This report is Part 1 in a four part series that covers the coast of Massachusetts. The information provided in this report covers the watersheds within Southeastern Massachusetts. The other parts in the series are: Part 2 – Cape Cod and the Islands; Part 3 – South Shore; Part 4 – Boston Harbor, North Shore, and Merrimack River. iv INTRODUCTION basis of an action plan for future DMF anadromous fish work. Recommendations are Anadromous fishes in Massachusetts presented and prioritized for each watershed to coastal waters have undergone a striking enable the DMF to better execute its statutory decline in abundance over the past 400 years. mandate to develop and manage the anadro- The combined effects of impassable dams, mous fish resources of the Commonwealth. gross pollution, water diversion and over- This report is the first in a four part fishing had drastically reduced or eliminated series that covers the coast of Massachusetts. anadromous fish populations. Twentieth Findings from watersheds in Southeastern century efforts at restoring depleted stocks Massachusetts are presented here including the through focused care and management led to a Narragansett Bay Drainage area, Taunton River significant recovery in the Commonwealth. Watershed, and Buzzards Bay Drainage area. Today more than 100 coastal rivers and Part 2 in the series covers the Cape Cod streams are the sites of active herring runs. watersheds and the Islands of Martha’s During the fall of 1967, the Vineyard and Nantucket. The South Shore Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries watersheds comprise part 3 of the series and (DMF) began a survey of coastal streams to part 4 includes Boston Harbor and the North determine the existence of anadromous fish Shore watersheds. resources and the potential for restoration and enhancement. The results of that survey, pub- MATERIALS AND METHODS lished as a Federal Aid completion report in 1972, have served as the basis for anadromous All rivers and streams flowing into fish management in Massachusetts since that Massachusetts’s coastal waters, from the Rhode time. The recommendations that resulted from Island to New Hampshire borders, were the survey have provided a work plan for considered. Most were surveyed from mouth to DMF's anadromous fish project over the last 30 headwaters. General physical characteristics years. In the three decades since the com- were noted and data of specific importance to pletion of the survey, numerous changes have anadromous fish were recorded. taken place. Some fishways have deteriorated All known or encountered obstructions or their designs have become obsolete. Dams and fishways were photographed using a high have failed, eliminating spawning or nursery resolution digital camera, and their locations habitats. Impoundments have degraded due to were recorded using handheld Global eutrophication, and water withdrawals have Positioning System (GPS) units. Site specific raised fish passage issues. Other changes have details were documented for the first been positive. Many fishways have been impassable obstruction
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